Page 48 of The Chamber

“Why not?” Jeremiah asked. “He can’t do us harm anymore either.”

“Sure, come over. We’re both here,” Kenneth said through the phone. He hung up, and his heart started to race as he turned to Jeremiah. “He’s on his way. He says he has some information about Richard’s arrest.”

Jeremiah’s blinked. His expression showed deep skepticism. “What could he possibly know?”

“Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Kenneth replied.

As minutes ticked by, the anticipation in the room thickened like fog. When the doorbell finally rang, Kenneth hurried to open it, revealing Michael standing on the doorstep. His warm smile, usually so comforting, now appeared strained. He had dark, heavy circles under his eyes.

“Hey, guys,” Michael said, stepping inside. “I know I might be the last person either of you want to see, but I think I have important information. You can’t understand the full picture without it.”

“Go on, tell us what happened,” Kenneth urged, studying Michael’s tense expression.

“Okay.” Michael took a deep breath, steeling himself for their reactions. “The truth is, I’ve been working undercover for federal authorities the entire time. Richard didn’t know, and I couldn’t let you know. I had to keep it from everyone.”

“Undercover?” Kenneth felt his stomach twist into a knot. “So everything—our relationship, the times we spent together—it was all just an act?”

“Kenneth, please understand,” Michael pleaded.” My feelings for you were genuine. In fact, at one point, I asked my superior to pull me off the case because my emotions were getting in the way. He refused because he said what I was finding was too important. I had to get close to you and the others to gather needed information about Richard and the Chamber.”

“Did you provide the information to ultimately find Richard?” Jeremiah asked.

“No, he’d relocated since the last time I saw him. He changed all the locks, so to speak.”

“Michael, I don’t know what to say.” Kenneth’s voice shook as he struggled to process the truth. “I’m confused. I don’t know whether to continue hating your lies.” His brow furrowed as he tried to think things through.

“Kenneth, I am so sorry for any pain I’ve caused you and Jeremiah. I truly am. If we could have taken Richard down any other way, I would have gone a different route.”

Michael reached out to touch Kenneth’s arm, but he flinched away. “I have to go back undercover now for my own protection. But before I leave, I want to thank both of you for your courage. You survived unimaginable horrors, and your strength is an inspiration.”

“Goodbye, Michael,” Jeremiah murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

“Goodbye, guys.” With one last sorrowful glance, Michael turned and walked out the door, leaving Kenneth and Jeremiah to grapple with the tangled web of secrets and lies that had trapped them all.

Kenneth’s chest tightened as he stared at the closed door, Michael’s departure leaving an aching void in its wake. Tears threatened to spill over as he clenched his fists, confusion over Michael’s past betrayal weighing heavy on his heart.

Jeremiah’s hand found his shoulder, the warmth of his touch grounding him in the moment.

Kenneth pulled the door back open and spotted Michael’s retreating figure.

“Michael—wait.”

Michael hesitated, turning to face Kenneth with a mix of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes.

“I meant to tell you this when I was ready, but now’s my last chance. Even after everything, I—I forgive you.” Kenneth’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Michael’s expression softened. “Thank you, Kenneth. That means more to me than you know.” He paused, hesitating, before adding, “There’s something else you need to know. One of your paintings played a crucial role in Richard’s capture.”

“Which one?” Kenneth asked, taken aback by the revelation.

“Your pieceDescent into Chaos. Most people who look at it see pure abstraction, but one member of our investigative team recognized something in the background that led them to the location of the Chamber.” Michael looked at Kenneth earnestly. “You had no idea, but your art helped save lives.”

Kenneth blinked, processing the information. His artwork, born from pain and turmoil, had inadvertently contributed to dismantling the source of it.

“Take care of each other,” Michael said softly, addressing both men. “You’ve overcome so much together. Cherish that bond.”

“We will,” Jeremiah whispered, squeezing Kenneth’s shoulder reassuringly.

“Goodbye, Kenneth, Jeremiah.” Michael’s voice held a note of finality. He offered them a small, sad smile before turning around and vanishing like a shadow.

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